TOO MANY ARE DYING ON THE ROADS

Apr 17, 2017 Editorial

Tragically, we are well on our way to harvest a bumper crop of carnage on our roads this year. With only three months into 2017, traffic fatalities have increased by more than 10 percent this year, compared to the same period last year. Although we have written on this issue several times, the recent spate of traffic deaths in the last few days has compelled us to do so again. The deaths of 29-year-old Marlon Gobin, a painter and cell phone technician of Parika, Corneille Grimmond, 23, of Happy Acres, ECD, cyclist Raymond Isaacs, 21, of Silver Hill, Wismar and 16 year old Luke Holder John of Bath Settlement, WCB have shocked us.
While preparing this editorial, it was reported that Nazeel Ally of LBI, ECD was killed at the Railway Embankment by a speeding car. These heart-rending deaths are sharp reminders that as road users, we are all at risk. Common sense must prevail, if we are to prevent deaths on the roads.
According to the World Health Organization, traffic accidents are reportedly the seventh leading cause of death in Guyana. It is the number one cause of death of persons between five years and 14 years, and is the number two cause of death of persons aged between 15 years and 24 years. Given the number of fatal accidents; the number of persons maimed, amputated and disabled; and the deep emotional stress, road accident deaths have been deemed a major public health concern.
Road deaths are a serious human, social, economic and health pandemic in Guyana. It has reduced the skills available for national development and continues to cause distress and financial destitution to families. Road fatalities have also resulted in high costs on society, reduced human productivity, and increased health care costs to the amount of $4.7 billion annually.
Many, including a senior traffic officer have stated that the highways have become the killing fields of Guyana. Despite pleas from the Minister of Public Security, the police and various road safety advocates for drivers, motor cyclists and pedestrians to exercise greater care on the roads, the carnage continues which suggests that their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Therefore, those in authority have to do much more than pleading with the public.
Speed and reckless driving, the growing addiction to cell phones that cause driver distractions, the inexcusable failure of passengers to use rear seatbelts and the heavy consumption of alcohol by drivers are contributing to the bloodshed on the highways. In order to end the lawlessness on the roads, the police must step up its crackdown. More officers must be assigned to the police’s traffic units, with heightened use of electronic gadgets and an aggressive and determined campaign aimed at arresting and charging errant and drunk drivers for their reckless behaviour. These initiatives along with the rooting out of speeding and stunt riding by motorcyclists must become priorities for the police.
Speed cameras, vigorous enforcement of the use of seat belts and helmets for motor cyclists, the enactment of road-blocks and the systematic enforcement of the traffic ordinance should help to reduce vehicular homicides. Aggressive implementation of tougher regulations for drunken driving, texting and the use of GPS while driving should heighten the awareness of drivers. The government should also enforce the laws against the users of cellphones while walking or driving in order to help reduce road fatalities.
With traffic fatalities moving higher up the list of the leading causes of death in Guyana, there must be a coordinated approach to the nightmare on our roads and the authorities must lead the charge. It is very frightening to think that we are moving towards a situation in which more people would die from road accidents than from the use of guns, knives and other acts of violence. A sustained effort is needed to reduce this carnage. The solutions rest with all of us. Too many are dying on the roads.

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